Australian wine industry bodies are to call on the federal government for funding to help people leave the industry.

Wine Australia and other national associations, including the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia, plan to make a joint appeal to the government as early as July or August, asking for financial support to assist in reducing the size of the Australian wine trade.

Paul Henry, market development manager for Wine Australia, told decanter.com, ‘The winemaking bodies are making a reform agenda that we will present to the federal government. We believe the industry needs to be a different size and shape if it is to move forward. But we need to downsize responsibly'.

The Australian wine industry does not receive funding from the government currently but with problems of oversupply and continued drought in inland areas, Henry believes it is now time for the government to intervene.

'Because we have been so successful as an industry, the government holds us up as a benchmark but we are in a situation where we need help.

‘Ultimately we want greater investment from the government, as there is an investment requirement needed that can't be solely provided by the industry,’ he said.

‘We must point out the social, economic and environmental consequences of not appropriately resourcing an industry that has served brand Australia for so long,’ he added.

Latest poll

You may have heard of a new wine gadget selling for just under US$300 called 'Coravin' which claims to allow wine to be tasted multiple times from the same bottle without ever removing the cork. Are you...

Intrigued. It sounds like a great idea and I would be interested in buying one (1263 vote, 29%)

Cautious, I would have to see it in action before I made my mind up (1239 vote, 28%)

Sceptical, I wouldn't risk it with my old and rare vintages (687 vote, 16%)

Not interested - if I want a glass of wine I'll just open the bottle (1179 vote, 27%)